Reviews

‘I opened this book with high expectations. They have been admirably fulfilled.  Here we have a stand alone thriller about two lonely people who pursue a relationship of monthly weekends together in remote spots.  Suddenly one of these two fails to get to the rendezvous-vous and the other realises how very limited her knowledge of her  companion is . . . Gradually the reader pieces together some of the facts as an atmosphere of rising tension envelops everything. The intelligent way Jay, Lisa and others plan their actions is enjoyable and the suspense of the tale is palpable.’

- MYSTERY PEOPLE

Two thirds of the way through my book moratorium

Cartographies cover front for webIt is two months today since I began my book-buying moratorium – and I am still going strong. It was most difficult at the beginning, when I was trying to break the habit. There was a danger that I just would buy more DVDs instead – they too are so cheap in charity shops – even though we have too many that we haven’t watched. So for the time being I am avoiding charity shops, except when I go to drop books off.

I can’t remember when I last bought so few books. I think it must have been before I was earning a salary. I wonder if over the years I have spent more on books than on clothes. It seems quite possible.

I’m not making the inroads into the TBR pile that I’d like. I find that I’m reading books from the library a lot. I’ve just finished Agatha Christie’s Come Tell Me How You Live about life in Syria with her archeologist husband, which I got out of the London Library, and that made me want to read Death Comes as the End, which she set in Ancient Egypt. That one I already own and I am halfway through.

The collection of poetry by my good friend Anca Vlasopolos (pictured above) arrived yesterday and is one of the few exceptions that I’ve allowed myself (the other was a book I bought at a launch). It is attractively produced with charming illustrations and abstinence makes this even more of a treat.

 

4 Comments

  1. tracybham
    November 24, 2015

    You have inspired me. I have planned a three month book-buying moratorium starting in January, and I will at the same time be participating in a TBR books only challenge for three months. I will probably include some of my husband’s books in the TBR challenge because I have been planning to read them for years, but I am sure I will get through a lot of my own books too.

    Reply
    • Christine Poulson
      November 25, 2015

      Excellent! Generally I am in favour of people buying more books, but it is different in the case of people like you and me. The New Year is a good time to start – and it also gives you time to prepare. I think this will change my book-buying habits more generally, though I am not sure how yet. Please let me know how you get on.

      Reply
  2. moira @ClothesInBooks
    November 25, 2015

    I had a moratorium last year, but now feel I need to do it again. Maybe the best way is a month a year of no-book-buying and cutting down the existing piles – I think that might suit me best. I might (cautiously) nominate January for the moratorium… see how I get on.

    Reply
    • Christine Poulson
      November 27, 2015

      Sounds like a good idea. I too could well do this on a regular basis – and it might also prompt me to review my book-buying habits generally.

      Reply

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